Circle II Circle

Latest Circle II Circle News

Below is our complete Circle II Circle news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.

Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.

Based out of Los Angeles, California, Witherfall is the collective brainchild of guitarist Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth, Kobra And The Lotus, White Wizzard), singer/keyboardist Joseph Michael (ex-White Wizzard, Sanctuary) and the late Adam Sagan (Circle II Circle, Into Eternity).

Today the band releases their new video for the song 'Portrait' taken from their full-length debut, "Nocturnes and Requiems". The video was post-production on the video was completed by renowned producer/director Eduardo Rodriguez known for: Fright Night 2 and El Gringo.

Israeli metal act Desert has been announced as the support act for Florida based progressive metal act Circle II Circle (featuring ex-Savatage/T.S.O. vocalist Zak Stevens) on the upcoming spring tour for the latest album "Reign Over Darkness." Tour dates can be seen below.

Desert are located in the middle of the biblical sands where Moses had led his people to the promised land in Israel. Formed in the year 2002 as a power metal band, the band decided to mix darker elements to the palette to give the epic sound they are known for now. The latest release "Never Regret" is available in stores now.

Circle II Circle has announced the "Reign Of Darkness Over Europe Tour 2016" set to kick off in late April with Lord Volture from the Netherlands and Desert from Israel as supporting groups. Dates for the trek are as follows:

Following the impressive main stage performance of Zak Stevens with Savatage & Trans-Siberian Orchestra in front of 80,000 people at Wacken Festival 2015 in Germany, Zak and his band Circle II Circle announced details about the upcoming new album "Reign Of Darkness."

EarMUSIC/Edel and Zak Stevens have enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success together over the years with Savatage albums like "Edge Of Thorns," "The Wake of Magellan" and "Dead Winter Dead" (true milestones of hard rock and metal and some of the biggest charts metal successes in the 90's) and Circle II Circle albums such as "Seasons Will Fall" alike.

"Reign of Darkness," is set to be released on October 16th, 2015.

Circle II Circle is a band that has been reinventing themself through the years, but maintaining that signature sound that fans around the world love – “Reign Of Darkness” is no exception to that attitude, bringing out the very best, Circle II Circle has to offer. Needless to say, that "Reign Of Darkness" overshadows what has been done before.

"You might say that 'Reign of Darkness' represents a musical reinvention for us, but the minute you hear each song you know right away that it‘s CIIC. We wanted to pay homage to the past, but we also wanted to create a musical renaissance within our genre that is fresh and energetic. This is an album that will positively pave the way for our future" commented Stevens. More...

Circle II Circle has issued the following announcement about splitting with drummer Adam Sagan:

"As you may have heard this morning, CIIC and Adam Sagan have parted ways after three years and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

"As Adam stated, there's no dirt or drama here. We're just two entities moving in different directions both musically and logistically and we all know these things are inevitable in this business.

"We have some exciting news coming your way in the next few days as we introduce our new drummer. We searched far and wide and found him in BRAZIL of all places!! This makes a lot of sense for us because we play in Brazil a lot and that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. He's also featured on the new CIIC album that we just finished mixing.

"It is in the mastering process with SafeHouse Production - James Murphy as we speak. We also have a few other surprises coming your way in the next few weeks as well so stay tuned. Again Drummer Adam Sagan, all the best brother! See you at NAMM...Zak."

Christian Wentz from Circle II Circle has checked in with the following update from the recording studio:

"Master engineer Ron Keeler is deep in the mixing of the new record. I am sitting here in awe of what is coming from the studio monitors. We have spent the better part of 2014 involved with making this record, and it shows!"

Stay tuned for further info on the upcoming album, or you can read more about the recording process over at the band's Facebook profile here.

Armoury Records, in cooperation with earMUSIC, announced the release of "Live At Wacken (Official Bootleg)," the first ever live offering from Tampa power/progressive metal act, Circle II Circle. The album will be released in North America via Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records on August 22nd, 2014.

Recorded in August of 2012 at the Germany's renowned Wacken Open Air Festival, Circle II Circle, led by former Savatage vocalist Zak Stevens, performed Savatage's iconic "The Wake Of Magellan" almost in its entirety. The last Savatage record to feature Stevens, "The Wake Of Magellan" is a monumental concept album and considered by many to be the band's best work of the post-1993 Savatage saga.

The track list for the release is:

1. The Ocean/Welcome2. Turns To Me3. Morning Sun4. Complaint In The System (Veronica Guerin)5. The Wake Of Magellan6. Anymore7. The Hourglass8. Blackjack Guillotine More...

Jon Oliva's Pain, fronted by the Mountain King Jon Oliva (Savatage/T.S.O.), has announced that the band's new guitarist will be Bill Hudson of Circle II Circle. The announcement from the band's Facebook Page reads:

"Welcome our new guitarist, Bill Hudson

"Bill has the toured the world alongside the likes of VITAL REMAINS, NIGHTRAGE (filling in for OZZY OSBOURNE's guitarist, Gus G), CIRCLE II CIRCLE, EMPHATIC, CELLADOR, POWER QUEST and many others. He is a world-class guitar player and truly a welcome addition to the JOP lineup. We are very much looking forward to rehearsals in the coming months. PP is going to awesome!

"Cheers one and all...more news as it happens."

Hudson's first live performance with the band will be the headlining set at ProgPower USA XV this September, when the classic Savatage album "Streets" will be performed in its entirety. On that note the band states: "We have decided that the sold-out ProgPower Festival in Atlanta will be our only show this year. Glenn and the fans wanted a very special once in a lifetime show and we feel it is only right that we give them want they demanded."

In addition, the band has also posted an update on the new material and follow up to the 2010 album "Festival." The new material is said to be the heaviest and darkest material from Oliva to date:

"Lots going on in the JOP camp. We are reviewing more complete demo's for the new album. Lots of very heavy and dark material for sure...." More...

Circle II Circle, featuring ex-Savatage vocalist Zak Stevens, released a new music video for the track "Diamond Blade." The track appears on the latest album "Seasons Will Fall," which was issued in January 2013 via earMusic.

The video was compiled from fan footage recorded from Europe to Brazil. Check out "Diamond Blade" here:

For as long as I can remember, I've searched for what I would define as a "perfect concert" - a mighty bucket list item that eluded me. I fixed the label to many shows in the interim, scratching off those "before death" list items one by one as each successive concert outdid the previous. Back in mid-2012, when I submitted my sponsor list for 2013, I listed fifteen bands I wanted to see and was willing to put money on for ProgPower USA. Number one of that list was Luca Turilli's Rhapsody. The reason is simple....there is no composer in heavy metal not named Jon Oliva that can even compare to the wealth of fantastic material presented since the 90’s. Turilli had numerous solo albums and various side bands all in addition to writing a double power metal story arc that lasted eleven straight albums, many of which grace the top lists of any fan of the genre. Well in advance of the latest two Rhapsody of Fire albums, Luca decided that it had to end…and that he needed to split off and see his own vision of band - one that would turn it towards the cinematic. In what appeared to be a confusing agreement with lifetime friend and co-founder Alex Staropoli, the two would split - each keeping a variant of the name and both claiming the entire back catalog as his own. Then, in a feat that I have seen nowhere else in band splits, the two would remain close friends and allies, each supporting the other and respective releases. Since then, Turilli fired the first salvo with “Ascending to Infinity,” an album so perfect it’s actually hard to listen to (see review here). Even though Rhapsody was not scheduled for the main festival, in the fall of 2012 it was announced that the band would headline the Thursday night kick off show with two hour plus set. Though ProgPower’s main festival would prove so great, this concert was the highlight of not only the festival….but my entire life. What would follow can only be deemed the “perfect concert.” More...

In its 14th year for 2013, the ProgPower USA Festival is one of the longest-running US festivals, and the longest-running US multi-day festival to feature bands from outside the US.

This year, it has the special distinction of being the US debut show for five bands. Totaling more than a hundred and twenty band performances in its time, it has developed a reputation as a tastemakers’ festival, heightening awareness within the US of foreign bands.

It can be a daunting festival, price- and endurance-wise, but it’s one that should be considered if the genres it derives its name from at all turn your head. Here’s what you can expect from this year’s celebration of the fast and the nerdy down at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia, starting on September 4th. More...

White Wizzard has been confirmed for Rock Harvest II, a three-day concert which takes place at the House of Rock in White Marsh, Maryland in November.

The second annual Rock Harvest will be running from Thursday, November 7th to Saturday, November 9th in support of the police non-profit organization, Fallen Blue. Other bands performing alongside White Wizzard includes Heathen, Raven, Leatherwolf, Reverence, Circle II Circle, and Silent Rage. White Wizzard will be performing on Thursday, November 7th. Tickets for Rock Harvest II are available now at this location.

White Wizzard is due to release new studio album, "The Devils Cut," on June 3rd in Europe via Earache Records, and June 25th in the USA via Century Media/Earache Records. The album features artwork by Cameron Davis, who is known for his work as lead character designer and illustrator for the Guitar Hero video game series.

Circle II Circle, featuring former Savatage vocalist Zak Stevens, posted a new music video for "Seasons Will Fall." The song is the title track to the band's latest album, which was issued in January via earMusic.

Eternal Flight and Nightmare have announced they will be supporting Circle II Circle on an upcoming European trek in May and June. Dates and venues are available in the poster below, and further details can be found at the Circle II Circle Facebook profile. More...

Give the song a listen right here. The following press release was also issued about the album:

"Led by former Savatage vocaist Zak Stevens, the 12-track Seasons Will Fall promises to be the band’s strongest album to date both musically and sonically. Blending Stevens’ history and unique 'Savatage style' with the fresh sounds he’s meticulously developed with CIIC, Seasons Will Fall is a commanding fusion of metal and hard rock, powered by his passionate melodic rock vocals."

Stevens comments of the theme behind the "Killing Death" track: “The lyrics are basically about taking control of something that is detrimental or that may be shortening your life. It’s about ridding yourself of the things that you know are making your days numbered before they wind up actually killing you.”

Circle II Circle, featuring former Savatage vocalist Zak Stevens, posted a preview clip for the track "Diamond Blade." The song appears on the band's forthcoming LP "Seasons Will Fall," which is scheduled for release through Armoury Records, in conjunction with Hamburg, Germany-based earMUSIC, on January 25, 2013 (EU) and January 29, 2013 (North America).

The track listing for "Seasons Will Fall" is as follows:

1. Diamond Blade2. Without a Sound3. Killing Death4. Epiphany5. End of Emotion6. Dreams That Never Die7. Seasons Will Fall8. Never Gonna Stop9. Isolation10. Sweet Despair11. Downshot12. Only Yesterday

Circle II Circle, featuring former Savatage vocalist Zak Stevens, posted an album preview for he band's upcoming LP "Seasons Will Fall," which was just announced at the end of November. The album will drop through Armoury Records, in conjunction with Hamburg, Germany-based earMUSIC, on January 25, 2013 (EU) and January 29, 2012 (North America).

The track listing is as follows:

1. Diamond Blade2. Without A Sound3. Killing Death4. Epiphany5. End Of Emotion6. Dreams That Never Die7. Seasons Will Fall8. Never Gonna Stop9. Isolation10. Sweet Despair11. Downshot12. Only Yesterday

Armoury Records, in conjunction with Hamburg, Germany-based earMUSIC, will release the sixth studio album from American metallers Circle II Circle this Winter. The following press release was issued about the album:

"Led by former Savatage vocalist Zak Stevens, the 12-track 'Seasons Will Fall' promises to be the band’s strongest album to date both musically and sonically blending Stevens’ history and unique 'Savatage style' with the fresh sounds he’s meticulously developed with CIIC — a commanding fusion of metal and hard rock, powered by his passionate melodic rock vocals. From the howling guitar riffs of 'Diamond Blade' and 'Killing Death' to the energetic sound of 'Never Gonna Stop,' the album contains everything you want from a heavy rock album.

"EarMUSIC/Edel and Zak Stevens have enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success together over the years with Savatage’s Dead Winter Dead (1995) and The Wake of Magellan (1997), true milestones of hard rock/heavy metal and some of the highest charting metal success stories of the ‘90s."

Comments Stevens of the new label home and forthcoming full-length: “With earMUSIC releasing our sixth album, we are exactly where we need to be at this point in our career. We have the right album along with a fantastic new label. The timing of all this will take the upcoming world tour to an entirely new level. We are very much looking forward to the release of Seasons Will Fall. This is an album that will strongly define the identity and place of hard rock and heavy metal music in the world today.”

"Seasons Will Fall" will be released in North America via Armoury Records on January 29th, 2013. The track listing is as follow: More...